The Devil's Chord

In 1925, Timothy Drake, a piano teacher and frustrated composer, shows his student the "devil's chord", which summons a being called Maestro, who consumes the teacher's musical essence, killing him in the process. Maestro then breaks the fourth wall, looking into the camera before playing the opening notes of the Doctor Who theme music.

At Ruby's request, the Doctor takes her to 1963 to see the Beatles record their first album at EMI Recording Studios, but they are disappointed during a recording session with the band as they sing a poorly composed song about Paul McCartney's dog. After viewing similar sessions with Cilla Black and an orchestra, they talk to John Lennon and McCartney and discover that the world has lost its taste for music.

Fearing the impacts of a lack of music on humanity, the Doctor has Ruby play a song on a piano which summons Maestro, who emerges from the piano while laughing. The Doctor recognises this laugh as the same as the Toymaker's giggle.{{efn|As depicted in "The Giggle".}}

After escaping Maestro, the Doctor takes Ruby back to 2024, discovering the ruins of London in a nuclear winter. Maestro appears and reveals that they are a child of the Toymaker. They explain that they plan to eradicate all life from the universe, leaving only Aeolian tones. Maestro claims that to defeat them, the Doctor would need to find the correct chord to banish them, believing he is incapable of doing so.

The Doctor and Ruby return to 1963 where Maestro attacks Ruby, but stops when "Carol of the Bells" begins to play and snow falls. Maestro states that this music was present on the night of her birth, saying that this power is that of the "Oldest One". Playing the Mrs. Mills piano, the Doctor tries to find the chord that will banish Maestro but is unable to find the final note of the chord. Maestro sends the piano out of the room, trapping the Doctor and Ruby inside musical instruments.

Lennon and McCartney arrive outside and discover the piano, with the discovered notes of the chord floating above it. They are able to complete the chord, causing the piano to drag Maestro inside, freeing the Doctor and Ruby. Before the lid closes, trapping them, Maestro portends the coming of "The One Who Waits" to the Doctor. Music returns, and the Doctor and Ruby engage in a musical number before leaving in the TARDIS.

"The Devil's Chord" was written by Russell T Davies. The episode's title was revealed in December 2023 in Doctor Who Magazine,{{cite magazine |last=Davies |first=Russell T |date=January 2024 |title=Letter from the Showrunner |magazine=Doctor Who Magazine |issue=598 |page=10}} a few months prior to the reveal of the other series fourteen episodes on 31 March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Coley |first=Samantha |date=31 March 2024 |title='Doctor Who' Season 14 Episode Titles Get Haunting New Teaser Trailers |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-title-teasers/ |access-date=2 April 2024 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506021749/https://collider.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-title-teasers/ |url-status=live }} Davies teased that the episode would be the first of many to feature gods at war. In the episode, the Doctor makes a joke about diegetic music,{{Cite news |last=Stolworthy |first=Jacob |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who viewers have same theory about episode 2 detail |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-2024-non-diegetic-bbc-b2543444.html |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518023850/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-2024-non-diegetic-bbc-b2543444.html |url-status=live }} which according to Davies, was not well received by the production team who repeatedly suggested cutting it. Despite this, it was well received by critics.{{Cite web |last=Mohamed |first=Stefan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Series 14 Episode 2 Review: The Devil's Chord |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-episode-2-review-the-devils-chord/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515112518/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-episode-2-review-the-devils-chord/ |archive-date=15 May 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron K. |date=15 May 2024 |title=Russell T Davies Talks Bringing 'Doctor Who' to a New Audience and Working With Disney |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/doctor-who-russell-t-davies-disney-launch-1235900101/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518023753/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/doctor-who-russell-t-davies-disney-launch-1235900101/ |url-status=live }}

Davies included references to Doctor Who{{'}}s first serial, An Unearthly Child (1963), as well as the twelfth series episode, "The Timeless Children" (2020). Both mentions revolved around the Doctor's granddaughter and former companion Susan Foreman. "The Devil's Chord" takes place at the same time period as An Unearthly Child, and the Doctor tells Ruby that he was living nearby in Shoreditch with Susan.{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who: Space Babies and The Devil's Chord – season one opening recap |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/11/doctor-who-space-babies-devils-chord-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-beatles-jinkx-monsoon |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} He then contemplates the fate of Susan following the genocide of the Time Lords by the Master in "The Timeless Children".{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who shares update on Susan's fate in The Devil's Chord |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-susan-update-devils-chord-newsupdate/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514101942/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-susan-update-devils-chord-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Richard |date=16 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who 'Space Babies': Why is The Doctor alone in the universe? |url=https://www.space.com/doctor-who-space-babies-last-of-the-time-lords |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518061813/https://www.space.com/doctor-who-space-babies-last-of-the-time-lords |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=Space.com}} Susan's name is later used by the antagonist in the series finale to trick the Doctor into thinking there may be a familial connection between his granddaughter and Susan Triad, an important character in the episode.{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/doctor-who-legend-of-ruby-sunday-who-is-susan-triad|title=Doctor Who 'The Legend of Ruby Sunday': Who is Susan Triad?|last=Edwards|first=Richard|date=18 June 2024|accessdate=5 July 2024|work=Space}}

File:Abbey Road , Paddington, Greater London - panoramio.jpg

The episode was directed by Ben Chessell. It was filmed in April and May 2023.{{Cite web |last=Vickers-Green |first=Laura |date=11 November 2023 |title=Series 14 Set Photos Hint That RTD Is Bringing The Beatles Back to Doctor Who |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/series-14-set-photos-hint-rtd-bringing-the-beatles-back-to-doctor-who/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502072119/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/series-14-set-photos-hint-rtd-bringing-the-beatles-back-to-doctor-who/ |url-status=live }}{{cite AV media|title=Ncuti & Millie's Favourite Memories – Behind the Scenes – Doctor Who|type=Behind the scenes featurette|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0FuNnAXpAE|date=27 June 2024|accessdate=28 June 2024|publisher=BBC}} "The Devil's Chord" was produced in the fourth production block of the fourteenth series along with the sixth episode, "Rogue".{{cite web|url=https://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2023/03/08/ben-chessell-announced-as-doctor-who-series-14-block-four-director/#google_vignette|title=Ben Chessell Announced as Doctor Who Series 14 Block Four Director|last=Bates|first=Philip|date=8 March 2023|accessdate=4 June 2024|work=The Doctor Who Companion}} Parade street in Cardiff was used for the scenes that took place on Abbey Road in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/series-14-set-photos-hint-rtd-bringing-the-beatles-back-to-doctor-who/|title=Series 14 Set Photos Hint That RTD Is Bringing The Beatles Back to Doctor Who|last=Vickers-Green|first=Laura|date=11 May 2023|accessdate=9 June 2024|work=Den of Geek}} A blue screen was placed in the background which was eventually used to substitute the background for London. Umbrellas were not originally intended to be used by the actors in the episode's final scene, but rainy weather caused the production team to come up with the idea since the actors were already using the umbrellas earlier on in the episode. Two pianos were used on set, one that actually worked and one with an empty interior that could hold Monsoon. Davies stated that he had wanted to include a cabaret scene on the programme since 2005.{{cite AV media|title=Behind the Scenes – The Devil's Chord – Doctor Who|type=Behind the scenes featurette|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbxvewrxaqQ|date=11 May 2024|accessdate=4 June 2024|publisher=BBC}}

The episode stars Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson as the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday respectively. The episode features fictionalized versions of several musicians most notably the Beatles with Ed White, Chris Mason, George Caple, and James Hoyles as George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr respectively. Additionally, Josie Sedgwick-Davies appears as Cilla Black.{{Cite web |last=Bibby |first=Daniel |date=11 May 2024 |title=Who Plays The Beatles & Cilla Black In Doctor Who Season 14 |url=https://screenrant.com/who-plays-beatles-in-doctor-who-actors-cilla-black/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

Jinkx Monsoon appears as the god Maestro.{{Cite web |last=Mellor |first=Louisa |date=25 April 2024 |title=Russell T Davies Teases Doctor Who's "New Tradition" of Warring Gods |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/russell-t-davies-teases-doctor-whos-new-tradition-of-warring-gods/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=2 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502072120/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/russell-t-davies-teases-doctor-whos-new-tradition-of-warring-gods/ |url-status=live }} Susan Twist appears as a tea lady, having previously appeared as different characters in episodes since "Wild Blue Yonder" (2024).{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Fans Catch Recurring Easter Egg in New Series |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-susan-twist-identity-easter-egg/ |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}} Twist went on to appear in every other episode of the series, cumulating in a role as Susan Triad, a creation of the finale's primary antagonist, Sutekh.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-susan-twist-character-explained-triad-sutekh/|title=Susan Twist's Doctor Who Season 14 Role Explained: Who She Was Really Playing|last=Bibby|first=Daniel|date=24 June 2024|accessdate=4 July 2024|work=Screen Rant}} Jeremy Limb appeared as Timothy Drake.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-the-devils-cord-cast/|title=Meet the cast of Doctor Who – The Devil's Chord|last=Griffin|first=Louise|date=10 May 2024|accessdate=4 June 2024|work=Radio Times}} Limb's father Roger, was an incidental music composer for Doctor Who during the 1980s.

The episode features several cameo appearances including Shirley Ballas and Johannes Radebe as themselves.{{Cite web |last=Jefferey |first=Morgan |date=1 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who's Millie Gibson confirms "special" dance sequence with Strictly stars |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-strictly-dance-sequence-newsupdate/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501060431/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-strictly-dance-sequence-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }} Former Doctor Who costume designer June Hudson makes a cameo appearance as an elderly woman who is killed by Maestro.{{cite news|last1=Mulkern|first1=Patrick|title=Doctor Who '70s legend returns for cameo – and breaks down "gruesome" fate|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-june-hudson-cameo-exclusive-newsupdate/|work=Radio Times|date=11 May 2024|access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=12 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512095639/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-june-hudson-cameo-exclusive-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} Composer Murray Gold also makes a cameo, playing the piano briefly in the final musical number.{{Cite web |last=Bibby |first=Daniel |date=15 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Season 14 Revives A Great Cameo Trick Not Seen In 17 Years |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-murray-gold-season-14-composer-cameo/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515224212/https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-murray-gold-season-14-composer-cameo/ |url-status=live }}

"The Devil's Chord" saw the Doctor and Ruby in 1960s period clothing and wigs.{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Daniel |title=Doctor Who reveals new look for Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor in 1960s adventure |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-1960s-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515191559/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-1960s-newsupdate/ |archive-date=15 May 2024 |access-date=12 May 2024 |website=Radio Times }} The Doctor's suit was inspired by images of The Rolling Stones.{{Cite journal |last=Quinn |first=Jason |title=Time Lord Style: Dedicated Follower of Fashion |journal=Doctor Who Magazine 601 |publisher=Panini UK |publication-date=29 February 2024 |pages=25–29}} Costume designer Pam Downe designed three costumes for Maestro, including a keyboard outfit, a theatre dress, and an American bandleader outfit; the latter harks back to the Toymaker's bandleader appearance in "The Giggle". According to Monsoon, the looks were inspired by "iconic musicians" through history, with the theatre outfit referencing Adele, and the bandleader outfit referencing Sergeant Pepper from The Beatles.{{Cite web |title=Jinkx Monsoon Introduces Maestro to the "Pantheon" of 'Doctor Who' Villains |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-jinkx-monsoon-little-shop-of-horrors/ |access-date=12 May 2024 |website=Collider |date=11 May 2024 |language=en-GB}}

{{TV ratings

| aggregatenosort = y

| aggregate1 = Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)

| aggregate1score = 92%{{cite web|title=Doctor Who – Season 1, Episode 2 The Devil's Chord|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who_2023/s01/e02|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=15 May 2024|archive-date=15 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515181653/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who_2023/s01/e02|url-status=live}}

| aggregate2 = Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)

| aggregate2score = 8.1/10

| aggregate3 = Metacritic

| aggregate3score = 72/100

| rev1 = Radio Times

| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who - The Devil's Chord review: A vivid, silly and gripping '60s jaunt |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-episode-2-devils-chord-review/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507133804/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-episode-2-devils-chord-review/ |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = The Evening Standard

| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=Martin|title=Doctor Who: Space Babies & The Devil's Chord review — with Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor the show is alive and kicking|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-space-babies-and-the-devils-chord-review-b1156655.html|work=Evening Standard|date=11 May 2024|access-date=18 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516174407/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-space-babies-and-the-devils-chord-review-b1156655.html|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = Total Film

| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev4 = Vulture

| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev5 = The Times

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev6 =

| rev6score =

| rev7 =

| rev7score =

}}

"The Devil's Chord" was broadcast on BBC One on 11 May 2024, immediately following the series opener, "Space Babies". The episodes were given an early screening exclusive for critics on 6 May.{{Cite news |last=Dowell |first=Ben |date=6 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who first-look review — Space Babies and The Devil's Chord cause mayhem |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/doctor-who-first-look-tv-review-space-babies-and-the-devils-chord-cause-mayhem-z8lh6d09l |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Times |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=6 May 2024 |title=The Longest-Running Sci-Fi Show's Latest Reboot Isn't Really a Reboot |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-season-14-review-season-1-disney-bbc |access-date=6 May 2024 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506174736/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-season-14-review-season-1-disney-bbc |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Seale |first=Jack |date=6 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who first look review – Ncuti Gatwa will make this show far more fun than it's been for years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/06/doctor-who-first-look-review-ncuti-gatwa-will-make-this-show-far-more-fun-than-its-been-for-years |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The episode was simulcast on BBC iPlayer at midnight on 11 May in the UK and on Disney+ in the United States on 10 May.{{cite web |last1=Mellor |first1=Louisa |title=Doctor Who Series 14 Release Date: Episodes to Stream at Midnight UK Time |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-release-date-time-episodes/ |website=Den of Geek |access-date=16 May 2024 |date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410000140/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-release-date-time-episodes/ |url-status=live }}

Overnight viewing figures estimate that the episode was watched by 2.4 million people on its BBC One broadcast, 200,000 less than the preceding episode.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=16 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who ratings revealed for season 14 launch after early iPlayer debut |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-launch-ratings-revealed-newsupdate/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518085441/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-launch-ratings-revealed-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }} Writing for Radio Times, Louise Griffin attributed the low ratings to the episodes launch on BBC iPlayer nearly 20 hours previously.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=16 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who's overnight ratings aren't the full story - but they still matter |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-overnight-ratings-matter-comment/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518003750/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-overnight-ratings-matter-comment/ |url-status=live }} The episode received a total of 3.91 million consolidated viewers.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=20 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who ratings revealed for first week of season 14 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ratings-first-weekend-revealed-newsupdate/ |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} As of 21 June 2024, "The Devil's Chord" was seen by 5.7 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/arts/article/doctor-who-us-adventure-hangs-balance-bbc-disney-hnwsss7jn|title=Will Disney renew Doctor Who deal after 'underwhelming' ratings?|last=Dowell|first=Ben|date=21 June 2024|accessdate=24 June 2024|work=The Times|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240621211253/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/arts/article/doctor-who-us-adventure-hangs-balance-bbc-disney-hnwsss7jn|archive-date=21 June 2024|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|92|8.1|12|consensus="The Devil's Chord" gets by with a little help from some famous friends -- and a memorably villainous turn from Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro.}} {{Metacritic film prose|72|18|type=episode}}{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who (2024) season 1 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/doctor-who-2024/season-1/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506222842/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/doctor-who-2024/season-1/ |url-status=live }} Jinkx Monsoon's performance was praised by critics.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple sources {{Cite web |author1=Richard Edwards |date=17 May 2024 |title=Who is the 'Doctor Who' villain Maestro? And what's their relationship with the Toymaker? |url=https://www.space.com/who-is-the-doctor-who-villain-maestro |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sordi |first=Valeria |date=15 May 2024 |title=Jinkx Monsoon Just Became One of 'Doctor Who's Best Villains in a Single Episode |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-maestro-actor-jinkx-monsoon/ |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}}}

Reviewing the first two episodes of the season, Total Film{{'}}s Will Salmon gave them four out of five stars, finding "The Devil's Chord" to be "on surer ground and a more obviously crowd-pleasing episode" and writing "Gatwa and Gibson are brilliant, and Jinkx Monsoon crackles with malevolent energy".{{Cite web |last=Salmon |first=Will |date=6 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who episodes 1 & 2 review: Space Babies may divide the fans, but Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson make for an immediately winning new TARDIS team |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-season-one-spoiler-free-review-episodes-one-two/ |access-date=6 May 2024 |magazine=Total Film |publisher=GamesRadar+ |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506211549/https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-season-one-spoiler-free-review-episodes-one-two/ |url-status=live }} Hoai-Tran Bui's review from Inverse was more mixed, though she described the episode as "an intriguing marriage of high-concept sci-fi with high camp that delivers a promising look at what this new era of Doctor Who could look like." Writing for Den of Geek, Stefan Mohamed praised the episode, though he noted that the episode's continuity and references to previous episodes were inconsistent. Mohamed described the focus on music as feeling "fresh". Vulture's Jennifer Zhan enjoyed the episode, particularly the performance of Monsoon. She also praised the episode's closing musical number.{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=10 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Here Comes the Fun |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/doctor-who-recap-series-14-disney-season-1-episode-2-the-devils-chord.html |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Vulture |language=en}} Louise Griffin of Radio Times thought the episode was "vivid, silly, gripping".

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